LGBT rights in Cambodia

Some aspects of LGBT rights are supported by law in Cambodia, including that homosexuality is legal. King Norodom Sihanouk in 2004 showed support for gay marriage, although this has not resulted in new laws to accommodate it. At present there are no provisions on an age of consent in the Criminal law. [cite web |url=http://www.cdpcambodia.org/untac.asp |title=Provisions Relating to the Judiciary and Criminal Law Procedure Applicable in Cambodia During the Transitional Period |work=Cambodian Defenders' Project]

History

In February 2004, the issue of gay rights in Cambodia was discussed by then King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. King Sihanouk wrote on his web site he was impressed by marriage of same-sex partners in San Francisco [Global Gayz. " [http://www.globalgayz.com/northkorea-news.html Gay North Korea News & Reports 2005] ". Retrieved Jan 15th, 2006.] , and that if his people wished for gay marriage to be legalized in Cambodia, he would do so.

King Sihanouk also stated that he believed that God views homosexuals, as well as transvestites, as equal because " [God loves] wide range of tastes". However, this view is not widely accepted in Cambodia and, as King Sihanouk was a constitutional monarch and had no executive powers, no marriage laws have since been enacted.

Partnership Recognition (other than parenting)

There is one recorded case of partnership recognition in Cambodia. Khav Sokha and Pum Eth were married on March 12 1995, in the village of Kro Bao Ach Kok, in Kandal Province, where they are from. Sokha said in an interview to the Phnom Penh Post, "The authorities thought it was strange, but they agreed to tolerate it because I have three children already (from a previous marriage). They said that if we were both single (and childless), we would not be allowed to get married because we could not produce children". Thus, it is a fully acknowledged marriage, with official approval, and there was not really any reaction to it. It was a popular even, with 250 people coming to the ceremony and partying, including Buddhist monks and high officials from the Province.(Juan Pablo Ordonez - May 1996) [cite web |url=http://www.gay411.org/?region=2&category=&countryID=143 |title=Gay411]

Adoption

In theory, this is possible, but there are no recorded cases. However, many Cambodians would not find this a problem based on sexual orientation (a term unknown in Khmer). (Juan Pablo Ordonez - May 1996) [cite web |url=http://www.gay411.org/?region=2&category=&countryID=143 |title=Gay411]

ame-Sex Relationships

Same-sex relationships between women and between men are legal. There is no difference between laws governing homo- and heterosexual prostitution. Sex acts between same-sex partners is usually accepted, and is not defined as homosexuality. In terms of gender Cambodians differentiate between a man, a woman, and "neutral", or transgenders and transvestites. (Juan Pablo Ordonez - May 1996) [cite web |url=http://www.gay411.org/?region=2&category=&countryID=143 |title=Gay411]

ame-Sex Marriage

As per Cambodian law on marriage, stated in the Constitution, marriage between people of the same sex is illegal. [cite web |url=http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=2303 |title=MSM, HIV and Marital Law]

Annual LGBT Pride Celebration

Cambodia's first ever LGBT Pride celebration was held in 2003 in the capital city of Phnom Penh. It is now a yearly event that openly celebrates the diversity of Cambodia. Once a taboo subject, there is an increasing acceptance for homosexuality among Cambodians. In 2006, about 400 Cambodians in the Gay and Lesbian communities came to support and celebrate Gay Pride. [cite web |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/April/theworld_April57.xml&section=theworld |title=Cambodian Homosexuals Parade for Gay Pride]

References

ee also

*Human rights in Cambodia
* [http://www.norodomsihanouk.info/ King Norodom Sihanouk's website]